Welcome to the Marble Machine blog,
The purpose of this blog is to record our progression as we use additive manufacturing to build a marble machine. Many toys exist that allow tracks to be built from single components such as Marble Run and Space Rail. The goal of our project is to replicate these toys by creating a continuous motion marble machine that utilizes a fused deposition modeling (FDM) track. The track will be printed as one part and will have complexities that make FDM the best choice for fabrication. Additionally, we will construct a mechanism to transport the marbles from the bottom of the track back to the top, allowing for continuous marble motion.
Figure 1: An example of a toy marble machine that is composed of individual pieces that can be assembled. http://www.superdairyboytoys.com/marble-run-toy-galt-pieces-p-559.html
Design Requirements
- Marble Track
- 1 continuous track
- Incorporate curves, overpasses, and tunnels
- FDM is best to produce these complex features compared to other manufacturing techniques
- Designed to fit a 10 mm ball bearing
- Maximum height will be 11.8” (height of build area of Ultimaker 3)
- Maximum width will be 8.5” (width of build area of Ultimaker 3)
- Maximum depth will be 8.5” (depth of build are of Ultimaker 3)
- Material will be PLA
- Optimize a Thingiverse track first
- If time, design and print our own track
- Marble Lift
- Must lift the marbles from base of track to the top of the track
- Designed to fit a 10 mm ball bearing
- Options include Archimedes’ screw, carousel, arm, and escalator
- Pursuing the Archimedes’ screw design from Thingiverse
- Requires manual power
- If time, incorporate a motor to automate this
- Must be able to handle multiple marbles
- Maximum height will be either 11.8” (height or diagonal of build area of Ultimaker 3)
- Maximum width will be 8.5” (width of build area of Ultimaker 3)
- Maximum depth will be 8.5” (depth of build area of Ultimaker 3)
- Material will be PLA
- Continuous marble motion
- Marble cannot fall off of the track
- Track cannot have any deformities that prevent smooth motion (cracks, voids, delamination)
- Marbles should not stack up at the base of the track
- Goals for 3D Printing
- Create a functioning marble machine
- Print the track in two colors during one print
- Optimize quality to time ratio
- The track is a large print – want to reduce the print time, while ensuring continuous and smooth marble motion
- Repeatability